Synthesis and release behavior of methotrexate from Fe3O4/PLA–PEG core/shell nanoparticles with high saturation magnetization

• Fe3O4/PLA was prepared and modified for delivering and controlled release MTX.
• The drug carrier had a high Ms value and good biocompatibility.
• The MTX displayed a pH-dependent releasing behavior.
• The existence of PEG would slow down the drug release rate.
• Fe3O4/PLA–PEG–MTX showed an effective antitumor activity to MCF-7 cells.

A magnetic targeted drug delivery system with a high Ms value was prepared based on Fe3O4/PLA core/shell nanoparticles for the controlled release methotrexate (MTX). To endow the carrier with hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, an effective surface modification method to graft polyethylene glycol (PEG) was also proposed. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized by TEM, FTIR, XRD, and VSM. The MTX-loading efficiency and drug release behavior of the system were determined by UV–vis spectrometer. The results showed that the MTX displayed a pH-dependent releasing behavior and the existence of PEG would slow down the release rate. Additionally, a cell viability assay was also carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility of Fe3O4/PLA–PEG and the anticancer activities of prepared Fe3O4/PLA–PEG–MTX.

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